Safety ratchet

ABSTRACT

Safety ratchets provided herein allow for safely releasing tension in strap ratchets. A safety ratchet can tighten and then quickly reverse to slowly and controllably release tension, instead of abruptly releasing tension.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional patent filing claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/152,091, entitled “SAFETY RATCHET”, filed on Feb. 12, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Standard strap ratchets have no way to slowly release tension in a strap. They may automatically open and extend, releasing tension too quickly for certain applications, and furthermore allowing a person's fingers to be caught, resulting in injury. Many may struggle with standard strap ratchet devices in the field, for example when trying to use standard strap ratchets in settings where controlled strap tension is preferable.

SUMMARY

Having a simple way to slowly and safely release the tension of a strap ratchet may assist individuals in staying safe while utilizing the instrument in a timely fashion. Safety ratchets provided herein solve the problem of safely releasing tension in strap ratchets. In some embodiments, disclosed devices can be utilized in novel techniques to restring a hunting bow in the field. A safety ratchet can tighten and then quickly reverse to slowly release tension, instead of abruptly releasing tension. The safety ratchet may also be beneficial in any setting in which traditional strap ratchets may be otherwise deployed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example safety strap ratchet.

FIG. 2 illustrates a mechanism as may be configured on the second spring-loaded wedge which is used to release the second spring-loaded wedge when in a raised position.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate additional views of the mechanism from FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial view of the outer frame, with particular attention to aspects of a lifting frame.

FIG. 5 shows an example safety strap ratchet.

FIG. 6 shows an example safety strap ratchet.

FIG. 7 shows a strap ratchet tightening a bow.

FIG. 8 shows a strap ratchet tightening a bow.

FIG. 9 shows a strap ratchet tightening a bow.

FIG. 10 shows a bottom cam for use with a strap ratchet and a bow.

FIG. 11 shows a top cam for use with a strap ratchet and a bow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a safety strap ratchet according to this disclosure. The example strap ratchet includes: an inner frame 122 comprising a base portion 122A and a hinge portion 122B; an outer frame 123 comprising a handle portion 123A and a hinge portion 123B; two tooth-edged hinge members such as 111 and 112; and a cylindrical strap grip 162 disposed perpendicular to the hinge portions of the inner frame 122B, the outer frame 123B, and the two tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112 and running through the hinge members to adjoin the hinge portions of the inner frame 122B, the outer frame 123B, and the two tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112 to form a hinge structure. The hinge structure comprises 122A, 123A, 111, and 112 and the cylindrical strap grip 162. The hinge structure comprises a tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112 disposed between the inner frame 122 and the outer frame 123 on both sides of the hinge structure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first spring-loaded wedge 171 protruding from the inner frame 122 and configured to slide to engage the two tooth-edged hinge members 111, thereby preventing rotation of the tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112 from clockwise rotation with respect to the inner frame 122, in at least one direction. In FIG. 1, the tooth edged hinge members 111 and 112 cannot rotate counter-clockwise with respect to the inner frame 112 when the wedge 171 is engaged.

FIG. 1 illustrates a lifting frame 191 portion of the outer frame 123B configured to push away the first spring-loaded wedge 171, thereby disengaging the first spring-loaded wedge 171 from the two tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112, and configured to lower the first spring-loaded wedge 171, thereby engaging the first spring-loaded wedge 171 with the two tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112.

FIG. 1 illustrates a second spring-loaded wedge 131 disposed inside the handle portion of the outer frame 123 and configured to slide to engage the two tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112, thereby causing 111 and 112 to be rotated along with 123 via 131 as 123 is rotated counterclockwise. A lever 142 on the second spring-loaded wedge 131 may be configured to allow manual raising of the second spring-loaded wedge 131 to a raised position in which the second spring-loaded wedge 131 is disengaged from the two tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112. A mechanism 200 (shown in FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B) on the second spring-loaded wedge 131 may be configured to release second spring-loaded wedge 131 from catch (small finger, FIG. 3B) positioned inside of the outer frame 123 right above the shaft guide 210 as depicted in FIG. 3B. A notch (raised portion of 122B, not shown) is configured to encounter the mechanism's secondary wedge 212 which is against and behind (in respect to product) second spring-loaded wedge 131 (as can be seen in FIG. 2) when outer frame 123A has been rotated approximately 110 to 120 degrees from 122A. Causing mechanism's shaft 211 to lift catch (small finger. FIG. 3B) out of second spring-loaded wedge 131 resulting in 131 being released from raised position, causing the second spring-loaded wedge 131 to engage the two tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112.

FIG. 2 illustrates a mechanism 200 as may be configured on the second spring-loaded wedge 131.

FIG. 2 depicts a “back” view of the mechanism 200, as can be determined by the direction of the teeth on the tooth-edged hinge member 112. In FIG. 2, mechanism secondary wedge 212 may be just wide enough to ride along the inner frame 122B. Meanwhile, portions of the second spring-loaded wedge 131 may ride inside of teeth of a tooth-edged hinge member such as 111.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate additional views of a mechanism 200. FIG. 3A is a back view while FIG. 3B is a side view. As may be understood with reference to FIG. 3B, the safety ratchet may be equipped with a catch on the inside of the outer frame 123 right above the shaft guide 210 as depicted in FIG. 3B, and a coinciding notch in the top of middle shaft of second spring-loaded wedge 131 (middle shaft is shown behind 211 in FIG. 2). These two aspects of design interact with one another in that the catch lowers into notch of middle shaft of second spring-loaded wedge 131 when second spring-loaded wedge 131 is raised up by lever 142, and therefore temporarily locks second spring-loaded wedge 131 in raised position away from both tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112. With reference to FIG. 3A, a spring 301 may be connected to a shaft and mechanism secondary wedge 212 so that 131 moves separately from 212 and 211. The secondary wedge 212 is long enough to touch the inner frame 122B, but not wide enough to ride inside teeth of 111 and 112. While the wedge 131 is also long enough to touch inner frame 122B, but is wide enough that it instead rides inside teeth of tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial view of the outer frame 123, with particular attention to aspects of a lifting frame 191. The first spring-loaded wedge 171 may comprise tabs 421 extending outward to engage the lifting frame 191, allowing the lifting frame 191 to lift 171 off of the tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112 as the lifting frame 191 rotates on the pivot point 401. FIG. 4 also illustrates a member 404 that may engage the tooth-edged hinge member 111 when the lifting frame 191 rotates on the pivot point 401, and a groove 402 in the lifting frame 191 for engaging triangular element 141 to allow lifting of the lifting frame. The various other aspects of FIG. 4 are described with reference to the various other drawings provided herein, with like identifiers assigned to like elements.

A method of operation can be understood with reference to FIG. 4, as follows:

1. An operator pulls up on lever 142 (see FIG. 1), thereby raising second spring-loaded wedge 131 and triangular element 141. The raising of triangular element 141 results in the raising of lifting frame 191 which then in turn results in the pushing away of first spring-loaded wedge 171 from tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112. While simultaneously lowering member 404 into tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112, so that only the two 404′s keep tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112 from spinning free.

2. In a “normal” operation mode, 212 is brought back along 122B, as 123A rotates away from 122A, to a location comprising notch (raised portion) on 122B. The notch (raised portion) bumps 212 up so that 211 lifts catch (small finger, FIG. 3B) out of notch in top of middle shaft of 131 (middle shaft depicted behind 211 in FIG. 2), which releases 131 back down to engage teeth of 111 and 112.

3. In a “quick release” mode, 123A may be rotated all the way back away from 122A, to bring 131 to an extra high raised portion of 122B, which lifts 131 out of 111 and 112. Meanwhile, another extended portion at left section of outer frame 122B (as in 90 degrees left of 122B from 122A) pushes 171 away from 111 and 112. This extension of 122B can be seen in FIG. 1

In some embodiments, safety ratchets provided herein can be utilized to safely perform maintenance on compound or crossbows. Any of a variety of other uses may also be applicable.

Referring to FIG. 5, this product may utilize two slots on the sides on the handle and base portions of the outer and inner frames defined as 123A and 122A, by which the first and second spring-loaded wedges, 131 and 171, are guided. An example of how the spring loaded wedges 131 and 171 are guided inside of slots in 123A and 122A via extensions (as shown for 171 by 421 in FIG. 4) can be seen at references 171 and 131 in FIG. 1. There may be a spring-loaded wedge 131 in the handle portion 123A that is on a spring 132. There may also be a catch (a small finger) that lowers into notch at top of middle shaft of second spring-loaded wedge 131 (as seen behind 211 in FIG. 2) when lever 142 is raised by operator so as to lock second spring-loaded wedge 131 in raised position, thus preventing second spring-loaded wedge 131 from grabbing teeth of tooth-edged hinge members 111 and 112 while in release mode and handle 123A is being rotated away from base 122A by operator. There is a certain point when one is bringing back the handle defined by 123A, for example when the angle between 123A and 122A is about 110-120 degrees, at which the mechanism wedge 212 is pushed upward by small notch (raised portion) of 122B. This causes mechanism shaft 211 to also rise up, then lift catch (small finger as seen in FIG. 3B) out of notch in top of middle shaft of second spring loaded wedge (as seen behind 211 in FIG. 2) releasing second spring-loaded wedge out of raised position away from tooth-edged members 111 and 112. The second spring-loaded wedge 131 now lowers back into the teeth of tooth-edged members 111 and 112 preventing either them or strap grip 162 from rotating clockwise, this process brings Safety Ratchet back into normal ratcheting mode.

The triangular members 141 and the lifting frame may be raised via a lever 142 at the top of the handle portion 123A. This may be used to raise the lifting frame and push the wedge 171 away from the teeth 111, 112, releasing the ratchet and allowing the person to slowly release the tension on the strap while 404 is now engaged.

This device may keep tension between the bow arms when restringing a bow in the field. One end of the strap 150 may comprise a pin (not shown) that goes into the bow structure as shown in FIG. 10, and the other side of the strap 150 is permanently affixed to position 161 in FIG. 1. Another strap 151 (not shown) also comprises a pin that goes into the bow as shown in FIG. 11, and other side of 151 is fed into strap grip 160 so as to be ratcheted by Safety Ratchet. Strap 150 is appropriately sized so as to position Safety Ratchet in middle of bow when it has been tightened.

In some embodiments, safety ratchet works by turning the cylinder 162, which tightens a nylon strap 150 over what is being pulled in or secured. A safety ratchet may then release tension by the operator pulling up a lever 142 in the handle 123A, which releases the tooth-edged hinge members 111, 112 and cylinder 162 from the first and second spring-loaded wedges 131 and 171 and locks members 111, 112 and cylinder 162 by member 404 (FIG. 4). It then gradually lets the operator release the tension of strap grip 162 (rotate strap grip 162 clockwise) at his preferred rate via the rotation of the handle portion 123A which is controlling strap grip 162 by tooth-edged members 111 and 112 through member 404. The operator then releases the lever 142 and pulls back the handle 123A. At this stage, the safety ratchet does not tighten the strap any more, as the handle 123A is pulled back away from 122A, because the ratchet is still in release mode, where the catch (small finger, FIG. 3B) keeps wedge 131 in a raised position that is disengaged from the tooth members 111 and 112, meanwhile the wedge 171 is lowered back into teeth of 111 and 112 when lever 142 is released and is now engaged with teeth of 111 and 112 so as to prevent them from moving clockwise further as operator is rotating back handle portion 123A.

When the operator has pulled the handle 123A back away from 122A to where he wants, he then repeats the process. Once all the tension is released, the operator then pulls the handle back to a position that was impossible to reach when there was tension in the strap. In this position the gear is totally released and the strap can be pulled out of the ratchet device by hand as described with reference to the quick release techniques described herein.

Safety Ratchet automatically switches from release mode to normal ratcheting mode by means of described mechanism 120 (FIG. 2) lifting catch (small finger, FIG. 3B) out of notch at the top of middle shaft of second spring-loaded wedge 131 (as seen behind 211 in FIG. 2). This process is initiated by a small notch (raised portion) in inner frame 122B at selected rotational angle in respect to a closed ratchet position (when 123A is brought all the way down to 122A), which is selected on basis of the most efficient amount of angular distance to allow operator to release tension in release mode. This is a design to not require the operator to do anything but bring the handle portion of the outer frame 123A back to a certain point to change modes.

FIG. 6 shows another view of an example safety strap ratchet.

FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 show various views of a strap ratchet tightening a bow. FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show bottom and top cams, respectively, for use with a strap ratchet and a bow.

This item may be produced from metal or another similar, durable material. The exact dimensions, materials used for construction and method of operation of Safety Ratchet may vary upon manufacturing.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the precise forms disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. A strap ratchet, comprising: an inner frame comprising a base portion and a hinge portion; an outer frame comprising a handle portion and a hinge portion; two tooth-edged hinge members; a cylindrical hinge member disposed perpendicular to the hinge portions of the inner frame, the outer frame, and the two tooth-edged hinge members and running through the hinge members to adjoin the hinge portions of the inner frame, the outer frame, and the two tooth-edged hinge members to form a hinge structure, wherein the hinge structure comprises a tooth-edged hinge member disposed between the inner frame and the outer frame on both sides of the hinge structure; a first spring-loaded wedge protruding from the inner frame and configured to slide to engage the two tooth-edged hinge members, thereby preventing rotation of the two tooth-edged members from rotating; a lifting frame portion of the outer frame configured to raise the first spring-loaded wedge, thereby disengaging the first spring-loaded wedge from the two tooth-edged hinge members, and configured to lower the first spring-loaded wedge, thereby engaging the first spring-loaded wedge with the two tooth-edged hinge members; a second spring-loaded wedge disposed inside the handle portion of the outer frame and configured to slide to engage the two tooth-edged hinge members; a lever on the second spring-loaded wedge configured to allow manual raising of the second spring-loaded wedge to a raised position in which the second spring-loaded wedge is disengaged from the two tooth-edged hinge members; a mechanism on the second spring-loaded wedge configured to release the second spring-loaded wedge from a raised position when in release mode; a raised portion disposed on the inner frame configured to encounter the mechanism on the second spring-loaded wedge and to cause the mechanism to release the second spring-loaded wedge from the raised position, thereby causing the second spring-loaded wedge to engage the two tooth-edged hinge members. 